The All England Club, organizers of Wimbledon, have announced that they will provide accommodation for Ukrainian players during the 2023 edition of the tournament. Additionally, they will donate £1 for each ticket sold during the 2023 Wimbledon Championships towards relief efforts in Ukraine, with the goal to raise 500,000 pounds in total.
Ukrainian players’ accommodation and practice facilities
The tournament organizers will pay for two rooms for Ukrainian players (competing in both qualifying rounds and main draw matches) and their team members throughout the 2023 grass-court season. They will also cover the cost of practice facilities needed by these players and their teams. This initiative follows the AELTC’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at Wimbledon this year, after facing a ban last year due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Neutral participation of Russian and Belarusian players
Russian and Belarusian players were reinstated into the grass-court Grand Slam last month under the condition that they would play as ‘neutral’ athletes. They are not permitted to represent or express their support for Russia or Belarus in any way during the tournament. Players like Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka, and Daria Kasatkina, who missed out on competing at SW19 last year, will now be able to participate.
Special declaration for Russian and Belarusian players
The All England Club also revealed that Russian and Belarusian players have started signing a declaration promising not to express support for Russia, Belarus, or the war in Ukraine during their time at Wimbledon. This declaration is a prerequisite for their participation in the tournament. Wimbledon 2023 will not be broadcasted in Russia and Belarus, and media personnel from both countries will not be allowed at the venue. Additionally, flags and other means of showing support towards both countries will be disallowed at SW19 this year.
The main draw matches at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships will begin on Monday, July 3. The women’s singles final will be played on Saturday, July 15, while the men’s singles final is on Sunday, July 16.
